It was lovely to be back at Badbury Park Primary School on Friday, one of our newest schools in Swindon, serving the community of Badbury Park and indeed the wider community as well. Whilst I was at the school, I was delighted to be asked to judge their first ever Poetry Slam Competition. This was a competition involving all of the classes at the school, and it was a really tight competition, but Maple Class just edged it with a wonderful performance of individual character. This was a really difficult competition to judge, and when adding up the marks, there was only one point in it!
The children made us all laugh and left us with some wonderful memories. I still remember with great fondness those times in primary school doing poetry and I hope the children at Badbury Park Primary School will also remember taking part in the first ever Poetry Slam Competition at the school.
As well as judging the Poetry Slam Competition, I was also there formally to present a piano that I have donated to Badbury Park Primary School. It was a piano that belonged to my late Grandmother, and it brought her great joy and brought me a lot of joy as well, in playing and singing, and I wanted it to have a more permanent home. And what better place than a new primary school, bringing joy and music to a whole new generation? And who knows, inspiring the pianists and musicians of the future. It was quite an emotional handover, but I am delighted that the school has been so positive about this donation and what it will mean for them in the future.
Back in Parliament, my work has continued on the Economic Crime Bill, which is now in its final stages. The UK is one of the world’s most open and attractive places for doing business, however, this same openness means that the UK can be exposed to criminal activities, such as money laundering and corruption, which can have a devastating impact on our businesses and citizens. The Economic Crime Bill, alongside the new Failure To Prevent Fraud Offence, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improved transparency and will ensure that those responsible for economic crime, whether individuals or companies, can be brought to justice. This reform will also help small business owners play on a level playing field with corporate giants while holding larger companies accountable for committing economic crimes.
Last week a public consultation was launched by Moto, who are hoping to build a new Motorway Rest Area near Swindon at Junction 16 of the M4. This is news that I welcome, as I have been previously contacted by several local residents who have raised issues with HGVs around Blagrove and the area being used as a toilet. This is very unpleasant, and a new Motorway Rest Area would provide a much-needed stopping and toilet point, as well of course as new jobs to the town. You can find out more about these plans and have your say here https://consultwithyou.co.uk/moto/swindon
Finally, my local charity of the week is Hospital Radio Swindon, a free radio service for the patients and staff at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, which is run solely by volunteers. I am delighted to have been a guest of Hospital Radio Swindon.
The history of Hospital Radio Swindon can be traced all the way back to 1938 when a single gramophone was taken around the wards. In 1955, a football commentary box was installed at the County Ground in Swindon and commentaries were broadcast to Swindon Hospitals. It was one of the commentators, Les Harris, who suggested the format be widened to include broadcasting requests, music, and chat to lighten the patient's stay in the hospital. The Swindon Hospital Broadcasting Society came into existence in 1965 and began broadcasting.
In 2007, Hospital Radio Swindon moved into a new studio in the Great Western Hospital, where they currently broadcast from on the second floor. In 2013, the studio was renamed the David Penfold Studio after one of the members who was very influential in getting Hospital Radio Swindon into the Great Western Hospital. You can learn more about the fascinating history of Hospital Radio Swindon as well as how you can support this wonderful local charity by visiting http://www.hospitalradioswindon.org/
